You'll explore how government policies impact businesses and vice versa. The course covers regulatory frameworks, lobbying, corporate social responsibility, and economic policy. You'll analyze case studies of business-government interactions, learn about policy-making processes, and understand how companies navigate political landscapes. It's all about the intersection of public and private sectors.

Is Public Policy and Business hard?

It's not a walk in the park, but it's not impossible either. The toughest part is wrapping your head around complex policy issues and their business implications. You'll need to stay on top of current events and be ready to analyze them. The workload can be heavy with lots of reading and case studies. But if you're into politics or business, you'll probably find it pretty interesting.

Tips for taking Public Policy and Business in college

Use Fiveable Study Guides to help you cram 🌶️
Stay up-to-date with news sources like The Economist or Wall Street Journal
Practice analyzing real-world cases (e.g., Amazon's lobbying efforts or Google's antitrust issues)
Form study groups to discuss and debate policy implications
Attend guest lectures or events with policymakers or business leaders
Watch documentaries like "The Corporation" or "Inside Job" for broader context
Read "The Fifth Risk" by Michael Lewis for insights into government operations

Common pre-requisites for Public Policy and Business

Introduction to Microeconomics: This course covers basic economic principles like supply and demand, market structures, and consumer behavior. It's essential for understanding how businesses operate within economic systems.
American Government: You'll learn about the structure and functions of the U.S. government, including the legislative process and regulatory agencies. This background is crucial for grasping how public policy is created and implemented.

Classes similar to Public Policy and Business

Corporate Political Strategy: Focuses on how companies influence and respond to political environments. You'll learn about lobbying tactics, campaign finance, and corporate political action committees.
Environmental Policy and Business: Explores the intersection of environmental regulations and business practices. It covers topics like sustainability, carbon trading, and green technology innovations.
International Trade Policy: Examines how trade agreements and tariffs affect global business operations. You'll study topics like WTO regulations, trade barriers, and the impact of geopolitics on international commerce.
Technology Policy and Innovation: Investigates how government policies shape technological advancements and digital markets. It covers issues like data privacy, net neutrality, and intellectual property rights.

Public Policy: Focuses on analyzing, developing, and implementing government policies. Students learn about policy analysis, economics, statistics, and political processes to address societal issues.
Business Administration: Covers a broad range of business topics including management, finance, marketing, and operations. Students develop skills to lead organizations and make strategic decisions in various business environments.
Political Economy: Combines elements of political science and economics to study how political institutions, processes, and economic systems interact. Students analyze how political decisions shape economic outcomes and vice versa.
Corporate Law: Prepares students for legal careers focused on business-related issues. Students study contract law, corporate governance, securities regulation, and other legal aspects of business operations.

What can you do with a degree in Public Policy and Business?

Policy Analyst: Works for government agencies, think tanks, or corporations to evaluate the impact of existing and proposed policies. They conduct research, analyze data, and provide recommendations to decision-makers.
Government Relations Manager: Acts as a liaison between a company and government officials. They develop strategies to influence policy decisions, monitor legislative activities, and build relationships with policymakers.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Specialist: Develops and implements a company's CSR initiatives. They work on sustainability projects, community engagement programs, and ensure the company's practices align with social and environmental goals.
Regulatory Compliance Officer: Ensures that a company's operations comply with relevant laws and regulations. They stay updated on regulatory changes, conduct internal audits, and develop compliance strategies.